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Brand owned by L'Oréal (France) · about the brand
Color Protect Protecting Shampoo
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This shampoo offers effective cleansing with a blend of mild and stronger surfactants, but its formulation includes several ingredients that warrant caution for sensitive individuals. The presence of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, while effective for cleansing, may be irritating for those with sensitive skin and carries a potential for 1,4-dioxane residue, though typically controlled to safe levels in finished products. A significant number of declared fragrance allergens, including Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, and Hexyl Cinnamal, are present, which is a key consideration for individuals with fragrance allergies or contact dermatitis. Additionally, preservatives like Phenoxyethanol and Salicylic Acid have specific usage advisories, particularly for young children and during pregnancy, respectively. While the product is rinse-off, reducing systemic exposure, these factors contribute to its average safety profile for the general population.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
- Coconut oil
- Tocopherol
Shampoo with cleansing surfactants and multiple fragrance allergens
This shampoo effectively cleanses hair but contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which can irritate sensitive skin and may have trace 1,4-dioxane. It also includes several declared fragrance allergens like Linalool and Hexyl Cinnamal, which are a concern for people with fragrance sensitivities. Preservatives such as Phenoxyethanol and Salicylic Acid also carry specific cautions for certain user groups.
Personal check · free
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- Ingredients you avoid. Sulphates, parabens, silicones, fragrance, drying alcohol, PEGs and more.
- Sensitivities. Sensitive skin, hormonal considerations, pregnancy.
- Skin and hair goals. Acne, dryness, ageing, hair fall, dandruff: what the label declares for each.
- Everyone you buy for. Save a profile for each person and switch in one tap.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for haircare. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Why the score is capped
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
High load of declared fragrance allergens (EU-listed)
Rule PC-CAP-03
What's good
Contains Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride for conditioning
Includes Coconut oil for hair nourishment
Contains Tocopherol (Vitamin E) as an antioxidant
Watch out for
Potential for skin irritation from Sodium Laureth Sulfate
High presence of declared fragrance allergens
Concerns regarding 1,4-dioxane impurity from ethoxylated ingredients
Specific cautions for Phenoxyethanol and Salicylic Acid for vulnerable groups
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Sodium Benzoate (E211)
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Sodium Benzoate: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES is a cleansing agent that is milder than SLS but can still irritate very sensitive or compromised skin. Separately, because it is made by ethoxylation, it may carry a residue of 1,4-dioxane, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The ingredient list cannot show whether any is present or how much. The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic to be safe, and manufacturers reduce it by vacuum stripping.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FDA; EU SCCS
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance Allergens (EU-listed)
These are individual fragrance components that are known contact allergens. EU rules require them to be named on the label when present above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off), because "parfum" alone would hide them. Limonene and linalool are especially common and become more allergenic as they oxidise on exposure to air. This is a risk for people who are sensitised, not a general-population hazard.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545 (extended fragrance-allergen labelling); SCCS opinions on fragrance allergens
Fragrance Allergens (EU-listed): regulation, sources and other products →Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is the most widely used paraben-free preservative. The EU limits it to 1% in cosmetics (SCCS has confirmed this is safe for adults), and the French regulator ANSM advised in 2012 against leave-on products containing it for the nappy area of children under three and recommended a lower concentration for them. It can irritate sensitive skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V (max 1.0%); SCCS opinion SCCS/1575/16; ANSM recommendation (2012)
Phenoxyethanol: regulation, sources and other products →Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic acne and dandruff active. EU rules cap it (3% in leave-on products) and bar it from leave-on products for children under three years except shampoos, because it is absorbed through the skin and is chemically related to aspirin. Dermatologists commonly advise limiting high-strength use in pregnancy.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex III (conditions of use); SCCS opinion on salicylic acid
Salicylic Acid: regulation, sources and other products →Fragrance
"Fragrance" or "parfum" is a catch-all term that can conceal a blend of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including known allergens, sensitisers, and potential endocrine disruptors. The EU now mandates disclosure of 82 specific fragrance allergens. People with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or contact dermatitis should prefer fragrance-free products.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545; IFRA
Fragrance: regulation, sources and other products →Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl betaine is the usual "gentle" co-surfactant in shampoos, face washes and baby washes. It was named Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society in 2004; the reactions are attributed mainly to impurities (amidoamine, DMAPA) and are uncommon, but it is a common cause of surfactant allergy in people with eczema.
Peer-reviewed research Source: American Contact Dermatitis Society - Allergen of the Year 2004; contact-dermatitis literature
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: regulation, sources and other products →Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is both a preservative (permitted up to 1% in the EU) and one of the fragrance substances the EU requires to be named on a label because it can cause contact allergy in sensitised people. It is information for someone who knows they react to it, not a general hazard.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex III and Annex V
Benzyl Alcohol: regulation, sources and other products →Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)
PEG ingredients are made by ethoxylation, which can leave traces of ethylene oxide (IARC Group 1) and 1,4-dioxane (IARC Group 2B) unless removed. Good manufacturing removes them, so the ingredient itself is not a hazard, but the label cannot tell you whether it was done well. PEGs should not be applied to broken skin.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monographs Vol. 100F (ethylene oxide) and Vol. 71 (1,4-dioxane); Cosmetic Ingredient Review
Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs): regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a primary surfactant that can be irritating to sensitive skin. It may also contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), though SCCS considers levels ≤10 ppm safe in finished cosmetic products.
Contains 'Fragrance' along with multiple declared fragrance allergens (Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal). This high load of potential sensitizers is a concern for individuals with fragrance allergies or sensitive skin.
Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative with a recommended limit of 1% and advisories against use in products for children under 3 years old by French regulators.
Salicylic Acid is present, which is not recommended for leave-on use on children under 3 and should be used with caution during pregnancy.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a mild surfactant, is a recognized contact allergen, primarily due to manufacturing impurities.
Several ethoxylated ingredients (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Steareth-6, PEG-100 Stearate, Trideceth-3) are present, which may carry 1,4-dioxane residues as manufacturing impurities. The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic safe.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The claim 'PROTECTING SHAMPOO' is a general benefit statement that cannot be verified from the ingredient list alone.
The claim 'Intense color up to 30 washes' is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim 'COLORED HAIR' indicates the product's intended use, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
Linseed oil is listed in the ingredients.
The ingredients list Ethylhexyl Salicylate and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, which are UVA/UVB filters.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
WaterWATER
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2.
Sodium Laureth SulfateSODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
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3.
DimethiconeDIMETHICONE
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4.
Glycol DistearateGLYCOL DISTEARATE
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5.
Sodium ChlorideSODIUM CHLORIDE
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6.
Cocamidopropyl BetaineCOCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
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7.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideGUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
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8.
Coco-BetaineCOCO-BETAINE
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9.
Coconut OilCOCONUT OIL
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10.
TocopherolTOCOPHEROL
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11.
Sodium BenzoateSODIUM BENZOATE
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12.
Sodium HydroxideSODIUM HYDROXIDE
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13.
PhenoxyethanolPHENOXYETHANOL
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14.
Steareth-6STEARETH-6
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15.
Acetic AcidACETIC ACID
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16.
PEG-100 StearatePEG-100 STEARATE
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17.
Ethylhexyl SalicylateETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE
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18.
Trideceth-3TRIDECETH-3
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19.
Salicylic AcidSALICYLIC ACID
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20.
Poly Cllinseed OilPOLY CLLINSEED OIL
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21.
Fumaric AcidFUMARIC ACID
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22.
Benzyl AlcoholBENZYL ALCOHOL
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23.
Benzyl SalicylateBENZYL SALICYLATE
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24.
LinaloolLINALOOL
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25.
AmodimethiconeAMODIMETHICONE
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26.
Alpha-Isomethyl IononeALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE
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27.
Fragrance undisclosed fragranceFRAGRANCE
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28.
CarbomerCARBOMER
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29.
GeraniolGERANIOL
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30.
Citric AcidCITRIC ACID
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31.
CitronellolCITRONELLOL
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32.
Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneBUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE
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33.
Hexylene GlycolHEXYLENE GLYCOL
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34.
Hexyl CinnamalHEXYL CINNAMAL
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35.
GlycerinGLYCERIN
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36.
Soybean OilSOYBEAN OIL
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
Fragrance allergens are substances EU cosmetics rules require to be named on the label (such as Limonene and Linalool). Fragrant botanicals such as essential oils are grouped with them because they can naturally contain such substances, but they are not on that list. They matter mainly for people with fragrance allergies or already-sensitive skin — not a general-population safety issue. Each named allergen takes a small deduction from the ingredient score, and a high count can cap it; fragrant botanicals take none. Naming them on the label is a transparency positive.
Present in trace amounts
Listed near the end of the ingredient list, so present in small quantities — not counted as a headline benefit.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other shampoo products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Color Protect Protecting Shampoo?
The label of Color Protect Protecting Shampoo lists 36 ingredients, in label order: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethicone, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Coco-Betaine, Coconut oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-6, Acetic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Trideceth-3, Salicylic Acid, Poly Cllinseed Oil, Fumaric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Amodimethicone, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, Fragrance, Carbomer, Geraniol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hexylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycerin, Soybean oil. Flagged by the analysis: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Fragrance and 1 more.
Is Color Protect Protecting Shampoo safe to use?
Color Protect Protecting Shampoo scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This shampoo effectively cleanses hair but contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which can irritate sensitive skin and may have trace 1,4-dioxane. It also includes several declared fragrance allergens like Linalool and Hexyl Cinnamal, which are a concern for people with fragrance sensitivities. Preservatives such as Phenoxyethanol and Salicylic Acid also carry specific cautions for certain user groups.
Why does Color Protect Protecting Shampoo score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Potential for skin irritation from Sodium Laureth Sulfate. High presence of declared fragrance allergens. Also noted: Concerns regarding 1,4-dioxane impurity from ethoxylated ingredients.
Who should avoid Color Protect Protecting Shampoo?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin or contact dermatitis; Fragrance allergy; Avoiding Sodium Laureth Sulfate; Children under 3 (due to Phenoxyethanol and Salicylic Acid); Pregnancy (due to Salicylic Acid).
Does Color Protect Protecting Shampoo contain allergens?
Yes — the label lists 6 fragrance allergens: Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, Geraniol, Citronellol and Hexyl Cinnamal. These matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Does Color Protect Protecting Shampoo contain fragrance?
Yes — the ingredient list includes Fragrance. Fragrance is declared as a single ingredient, so the individual scent chemicals in it are not named; the label does separately list 6 fragrance allergens (Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, Geraniol and Citronellol and others). This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Color Protect Protecting Shampoo pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 5 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "PROTECTING SHAMPOO" — can't be verified from the label. "Intense color up to 30 washes" — can't be verified from the label. "COLORED HAIR" — can't be verified from the label.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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